Moldova elections: President Sandu cites voter fraud and 'carousel' scheme allegations
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has cited a number of irregularities recorded during the parliamentary elections, including instances of the organized transportation of voters to polling stations abroad and voting using the "carousel" scheme. In a new message released on Election Day, the Moldovan leader reiterated her call for citizens to vote, wherever they are.
According to the President, attempts are being made to block voting at some polling stations experiencing high turnout.
"We have several cases of the illegal transportation of voters to polling stations outside the country, clearly for money. We have false bomb threat situations reported in several countries. We have recorded instances of the so-called 'carousel' scheme, where ballots are removed from polling stations and illegally reintroduced stamped. And we have many instances where people from the Șor network are attempting to block the voting process in stations with high participation," Ms Sandu listed.
Under these conditions, the "honest votes" of the citizens can save the Republic of Moldova, the President reiterated.
"Go vote in Spain, France, Ireland, Romania – in any country where you are right now. Go vote now, because you'll still be able to cast your ballot before the stations close at 21:00. Moldova belongs to its people, not to the Șor criminal group. 'Let's prove we are stronger than their dirty money,' Ms Sandu concluded.
The citizens of the Republic of Moldova are electing a new parliament on Sunday, September 28. The minimum turnout threshold for the elections to be validated was reached at around 14:30 local time.
Voting is taking place until 21:00 across 2,274 polling stations: 1,961 within the country, 12 for the localities on the left bank of the Dniester River, and 301 abroad. Moldovans in 10 countries were able to vote by correspondence.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
